Gov. Beshear Announces New Counties Certified as Recovery Ready Communities
Breathitt, Jessamine, Lee, Nelson counties provide addiction treatment to more than 122,000 Kentuckians
FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 11, 2024) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that Breathitt, Jessamine, Lee and Nelson counties have been certified as Recovery Ready Communities as they have established addiction services for 122,258 Kentuckians who call these counties home with peer support services, mental health treatment, addiction treatment, employment services and a stigma-free environment to reach recovery.
“We will never stop working to address addiction in every community across Kentucky, because each life is precious, and Kentuckians deserve the chance to live without the pain of losing a loved one to an overdose,” said Gov. Beshear. “We have seen drug overdose deaths decline in the commonwealth over the past two years, and now thanks to the work of those in Breathitt, Jessamine, Lee and Nelson counties we will be helping more families overcome addiction.”
This announcement comes just weeks after the Governor released the 2023 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report, which showed that Kentucky saw a 9.8% decrease in drug overdose deaths in 2023, the commonwealth’s second consecutive annual decrease.
Recovery Ready certification encourages communities to provide transportation to and from employment services and job interviews, allowing Kentuckians to make positive changes in their lives while filling much-needed jobs and contributing to the commonwealth’s record-breaking economic growth. Including today’s new certifications, 14 of the commonwealth’s counties have now been certified since the first was announced in May of last year.
“Last year we certified seven counties as Recovery Ready, and they saw hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians take advantage of their recovery resources,” said Pam Darnall, chair of the Recovery Ready Communities Advisory Council. “We have already doubled the number of counties who have received a certification this year, and the year is only half over. We encourage each of Kentucky’s counties to become certified Recovery Ready Communities so more lives are saved, and overdose deaths continue to decline.”
Rural outreach is the key to Breathitt County’s Recovery Ready Community certification. The Breathitt County Health Department is preventing the spread of disease from drug use by connecting participants with providers who address physical and mental health. The county’s harm reduction efforts are bolstered by one of the most effective and versatile Regional Prevention Centers, and Mountain Comprehensive Care Center’s Quick Response Team provides Breathitt County with collaborative and systemic community response upon an individual overdosing by quickly locating an available treatment bed.
“I am so grateful that Breathitt County has been certified as a Recovery Ready Community. By achieving the certification, this is a huge step in continuing to move Breathitt County forward in applying for grants that will improve the lives of every person in our county,” said Breathitt County Circuit Court Clerk James Elliot Turner II. “We need to provide every opportunity for each person in Breathitt County to fulfill their potential. This is a win for our people.”
Jessamine County provides resources to Kentuckians at every stage of recovery. The Jessamine County Health Department provides extensive and effective harm reduction that includes offering syringe support services and fentanyl test strips at its main location and through its Mobile Harm Reduction Unit. It also provides support to formerly incarcerated individuals through recovery, peer support services and case management by a licensed social worker. The county is also home to Shepherds House Recovery Community Center, which provides those in recovery with access to recovery support meetings, peer support, clothing, employment support services and opportunities for drug-free recreational activities.
“It is a privilege for Jessamine County to receive the Recovery Ready Community certification and is a testament to the diligence and commitment of our whole community, said Shauna O’Nan, Jessamine County Health Department harm reduction director. “There is no set path of recovery, but after going through this certification process, we are confident, as a community, that we will be able to meet people where they are on that path.”
Lee County is home to the HUB, which provides vital services to a part of the state hit hardest by the drug epidemic. These services include syringe support services, access to peer support services, hosting recovery support meetings, providing transportation to treatment, providing access to employment support services and helping with housing insecurity. Additionally, the HUB offers a diversion program for low-level drug offenders to treat addiction and reduce recidivism.
“Lee County is very excited to receive the Recovery Ready Community certification in recognition of all the hard work that is being done to support individuals and families impacted by substance use disorder. The Kentucky River District Health Department and the Hub have built strong relationships with multiple individuals representing various agencies working to address this issue,” KY River District Health Department Public Health Director Scott Lockard said. “Substance use disorder is one of the biggest public health challenges we face in Eastern Kentucky, and we must work together across sectors and organizations putting people first if we are to be successful in addressing it.”
Collaboration and community involvement underlie Nelson County’s efforts to provide recovery resources to its citizens. The Bardstown Police Department has hired a full-time social worker to give officers more tools to address addiction and other behavioral health issues while responding to calls. The county is also a member of the Lincoln Trail District Health Department, which provides effective public health interventions.
“Nelson County has a strong network of community partners who are committed to supporting the recovery community,” said Jessica Bickett, safe communities specialist with Lincoln Trail District Health Department. “We are excited to be recognized for our efforts and to continue working to improve our local recovery-oriented system of care.”
To learn more about the program and to apply for certification as a Recovery Ready Community, click here.
Since taking office in 2019, Gov. Beshear has worked to provide resources to those struggling with addiction and their families, because one life lost to drug overdose is one too many.
In May, the Governor announced that Kentucky’s Counterdrug Program helped save Kentuckians’ lives by supporting the seizure of 265,170 fentanyl pills and 208.3 pounds of fentanyl during the 2023 federal fiscal year, which runs Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. The group also supported the seizure of 822 pounds of methamphetamine and more than 310 pounds of cocaine, enabled 164 arrests and facilitated surrender of more than $2.3 million in cash tied to illegal drug activity in 2023. Recently, the Governor signed the 2025 State Drug Interdiction and Counterdrug Activities Plan, continuing this important, life-saving work.
In 2023, the state supported the distribution of more than 160,000 doses of Narcan. The state’s Treatment Access Program also allows those without health insurance to enter residential treatment. The state is also leading the nation in the number of residential drug and alcohol treatment beds per capita.
The administration has also recorded the three lowest recidivism rates in over a decade. This year, Gov. Beshear announced a new website to support Kentuckians seeking second chances find a job, get an education or continue recovery. The site also connects business leaders with resources to help them hire second-chance talent.
Treatment Resources
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, the KY HELP Call Center can connect you to treatment by calling 833-8KY-HELP (833-859-4357). Information about treatment programs all across the commonwealth is available at FindHelpNowKy.org. Information on how to obtain the life-saving drug naloxone, which is used to reverse an opioid overdose, can be found at that website as well as at FindNaloxoneNowKy.org and FindMentalHealthNowKy.org.
Last year, Gov. Beshear announced a new searchable website to help people find recovery housing, FindRecoveryHousingNowKY.org. Since the website’s launch, over 24,000 individuals have been connected to recovery housing resources across the commonwealth.
Visit the Kentucky State Police website to find a post where those suffering from addiction can be paired with a local officer who will assist with locating an appropriate treatment program through KSP’s Angel Initiative.
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